On May 4, 2016, a triaxle dump truck overturned at a crushed stone operation. The delivery truck was hauling and dumping material onsite at a designated waste dump. Ground conditions had been inspected and the truck stopped at the ramp of the dumpsite. A spotter was positioned in a safe location to observe dumping and was in constant radio communication with the truck driver. As the driver started to raise the truck bed to dump, the truck listed toward the driver’s side. Alerted by warnings from the spotter, the driver attempted to lower the bed when the truck overturned. The truck driver was wearing a seatbelt and exited the cab unharmed.
Best Practices
- Conduct a thorough examination of ground conditions at dumpsites immediately before any work is performed and thereafter as conditions warrant.
- Ensure truck drivers receive proper task training.
- Load material in truck beds evenly to ensure safe dumping.
- Do not attempt to dump material if it sticks in the trucks body.
- Maintain adequate berms and stop blocks where required.
- Always wear seat belts when operating mobile equipment.